Propeller for aerial vessels.



J. BOWIE.

PROPELLER FOR AERIALVESSELS.

APPLIGATION FILED NOV. 3, 1911.

1 036 431, Patented Aug. 20, 1912.

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WITNESSES l/VVE/VTaR ATTY J. BOWIE.

PEOPBLLER FOR AERIAL VESSELS.

APPLICATION FILED 11017.3, 1911.

1,036,43 1 Pa ented Aug. 20, 1912.

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WITNESSES /NvENTO fi J. BOWIE. PROPELLER FOB AERIAL VESSELS.

APPLIOATIONYIILED NOV. 3, ;l911.

1,036,431 Patented Aug. 20, 1912.

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/A/ E WITNESSES V M W m JAMES BOWIE, OF EDINBURGH, SCOTLAND.

PROPELLER FOR AERIAL VE SSELS.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Aug. 20. 1912.

Application filed November 3, 1911. Serial No. 658,346.

To all whom it may concern: I

Be it known that I, JAMES Bowns, a subject of the King of Great Britainand Irevertically aerial vessels.

, In carrying out my invention the propeller consists of a screw-likedevice, made up of one or more convolutions. The inner edge, or edges,of'thepropeller are fixed to a vertical revolving shaft which maybec011- nected directly to the motor. The pitch and breadth or depth ofthe screw-like device and the angle it forms with the shaft may bevaried as found most suitable in practice. For examplethe angle that thesurface of the blades makes relative to the shaft may be approximately aright angle at the top,- the angle gradually becoming more acute until'it reaches a vertical or nearly vertical position at the bottom. To theouter edge of the propeller, or the lower part thereof, a curtain orscreen is arranged to hang vertically, or approximately vertically. Tothe lower end of the propeller there is fitted a baflle plate whichextends inward at right angles to the curtainor screen. To enable thepropeller to act as a parachute, it is provided with a hinged plate, orshutter, which automatically opens when the propeller is driven in onedirection, and automatically closes, or is mechanically closed, when thepropeller rotates in the opposite direction.

In order that my said invention and the manner of performing the samemay be properly understood I hereunto append three sheets of explanatorydrawings to be hereinafter referred to in describing my 1n vent-ion. I

Figure 1, is an elevation of my improved propeller, and Fig. 2, is aplan of the supporting stays and base plate, but with the propellerremoved. Fig. 3, is an elevation at right angles to Fig. 1, and Fig. 4,is a general view showing a vessel, provided with my improved propeller,which has ascended from the deck of a warship. Fig. 5, is a view similarto Fig. 3, showing'the hinged plate, or shutter, and Fig. 6. is a viewof a part of the propeller showing the hinged plate or shutter, in itsoperative position.

In these drawings the same reference letters are used to mark the sameor like parts wherever they are repeated.

As shown in Figs. 1 and 3, of the drawings, the propeller consists of ascrew-like device A, made up of two convolutions. The propeller A, isfitted to a vertically rotating shaft B, a part of which may be ofsquare formation in cross section, and the propeller is secured to theshaft by means of brackets C. The shaft B, is supported in bearings D,E, and F, preferably of the ball or roller type, and also by means ofthe vertical and horizontal stays G, H, the former being fixed to thebase or sole plate J. The

propeller A,'is provided with a vertically depending curtain or screenK, the object of which is to prevent the air escaping around theperiphery of the propeller. A ballle plate L, (Fig. 3) is fitted at thelower end of the propeller A, and extends inward at right angles to thecurtain K, so as to deflect the air, after it, has traveled over theunder surface of the propeller, in a downward direction. The propellerA, is provided with a hinged plate, or shutter M, said plate beinghinged to the under surface of the top convolution, as shown in Fig. 5,and when closed, or in its operative position, bearing against stops N,on the lower surface of the upper convolution, as shown in Fig. 6, orthese stops may be fitted to the upper surface of the lower convolution.In this way a complete convolution of the propeller can be utilized toact as a parachute and so serve to arrest or check a too sudden descent.

Any suitable number of these propellers able valves, therebyserving aswater ballast tanks in the event of the vessel the water.

Any suitable motive power may be employed to drive the propeller orpropellers.

What I claim as my invention is 7 1.- In a propeller for aerial vessels,in combination, arotatable shaft, a screw-like propeller blade of one ormore Continuous convolutions secured thereto, a fixed baffle platebetween one end of said blade and said shaft, and a plate swinginglysecured to said blade and adapted to cooperate with said baffle plate toform an air pocket whenthe propeller rotates in one direction.

2. In a propeller for aerial vessels, in combination, a rotatable shaft,a screw-like propeller blade of one or more continuous-convolutionssecured thereto, said blade being provided with a curtain at its outeredge exalighting on tending in a direction parallel to said shaft, saidcurtain extending fromone end of said.- blade throughout one completeIconvolution thereof, afixed baffle plate between one end of said bladeand said shaft, and a plate swingingly secured to said blade and adaptedto cooperate with said baffle plate to form an air pocket when thepropeller rot-ates" in one direction, said swinging plate being spacedfrom said fixed plate at a distance corresponding to one completeconvolution of said blade.

In testimony whereof I. have signed my name to-this specifieationin thepresence of two subscribing: witnesses.

J AMES 'BOWIE.

Witnesses:

GEORGE PATTERSON, J AMES WHITELAW.

